Resources to Serve Everyone Policy of the Government of Iceland on the Information Society 2004-2007

Resources to Serve Everyone Policy of the Government of Iceland on the Information Society 2004-2007 PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE Table of Contents Prime Minister’s address 2 Introduction 4 Resources to Serve Everyone 6 Opportunity 8 Responsibility 13 Security 15 Quality of Life 19 Appendix 23 Resources to Serve Everyone Policy of the Government of Iceland on the Information Society 2004-2007 PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE Success demanding continued work In governmental policy from 1996 on the information society, ambitious aims were expressed on further developing the information society in Iceland. Iceland shall be in the forefront of the world`s nations in the utilisation of information technology in the service of improved human existence and increased prosperity. This policy has pointed the way towards the added use of technology for the benefit of the general public and the employment sector. Ever since 1997, a project has been underway towards developing the Icelandic information society, based on the policy formulated in 1996 and directed by the Prime Minister`s Office. This project was formally completed in February 2003, after finishing an appraisal of its results, which on the whole concluded that the project had achieved con-siderable success. It was decided, therefore, to follow up this success and review the policy in the light of the experience gained so far. Iceland is in a favourable position to utilise information technology. Regarding public access to computers and the Internet, Icelanders were at the forefront of all nations in 2003. The same may be said about various other aspects of the information society, which are compared in international surveys. Great progress has been achieved, for example, in certain areas of business life. In many Icelandic schools, information technology has become an ordinary part of school activities, and in public administration the ministries and national institutions have stridden ahead. In some areas, however, development has been slower than anticipated. In many parts of the country, access to high-speed connections through 2 the telecommunications system remains limited and in some instances unavailable. This will have to be rectified through systematic measures. Thus, Icelanders must make an all-out effort to maintain their strong position in international comparisons concerning this field, and it is necessary to take decisive action in those areas of society where techno-logy is not being utilised to a desirable extent. In the present paper, the Government of Iceland introduces its reviewed policy on the use of information technology in Icelandic society. During formulation of the policy, suggestions were requested from a great number of interested parties throughout society, with the prime intent of creating a future vision, a common understanding, and a desire for the general public, business life and governmental bodies to join hands in taking advantage of the opportunities offered by technology for improving Icelandic society. The rallying call is for responsible partici-pation by all fields of work, private organisations, the directors of govern-ment institutions – in fact by everyone – so that this may succeed. Davíð Oddsson Prime Minister 3 ... - tailieumienphi.vn